MIRACLE LEAGUE

Miracle League programs photo

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

For more than 15 years, Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting and Pirates Charities has been proud to support Miracle League programs in the greater Pittsburgh region and Manatee County, Florida by providing athletes with unique abilities the opportunity to play the sport they love and give them a place where the focus is on what they can do, rather than what they canā€™t do.

Pirates Charities has partnered with numerous Miracle Leagues to increase accessibility for the game and allow every athlete the chance to play baseball. From helping leagues build their adaptive fields, to hosting unique Pirates programing on these fields, to supporting opportunities for their athletes to grow off the field, Pirates Charities is honored to work in tandem with the amazing individuals who are dreaming big and working hard for every Miracle League player.

Since 2008, Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting has partnered with nine community organizations across three states, to build custom-designed fields that feature cushioned, rubberized surfaces to help prevent injuries, accessible dugouts and completely flat surfaces including no raised bases or pitching mounds to eliminate any barriers to wheelchair-bound or visually impaired players.

In 2022, Pirates Charities hosted Miracle League Day at PNC Park where athletes from each of the eight local Miracle Leagues joined us at the ballpark along with their buddies and families to be recognized and celebrate their accomplishments. One athlete from each Miracle League proudly represented their league by taking the field with their favorite Pirates players for the gameday lineup.

In addition, Pirates Charites host Fantasy Camps for Miracle League athletes on July 30, 2022, and most-recently February 22, 2023. These special events bring Pirates players, coaches, mascots and executives together with Miracle League athletes for a special on-field clinic experience, creating once-in-a-lifetime memories for all.

More information on these events and the Miracle League organizations supported by Pirates Charities can be found below.

MIRACLE LEAGUE FANTASY CAMP

April 22, 2023

On April 22, Pirates Charities hosted a Miracle League Fantasy Camp at the Miracle League of South Hills where 45 of their athletes were joined by Pirates players, coaches, significant others and mascots as they practiced their skills throughout this clinic-style event. Each Miracle League athlete was outfitted in a custom Pirates jersey with their name on the back, a Pirates hat and other Pirates goodies prior to the clinic, which took place on their newly re-surfaced adaptive playing field that Pirates Charities helped to support. Each athlete had their name announced during the opening ceremonies and then rotated through five stations, hitting, pitching, fielding, fly balls and base running, while Pirates players and coaching staff gave them pointers, encouragement and a unique Pirates experience they and their families will never forget.

February 22, 2023

On February 22, Pirates Charities hosted a Miracle League Fantasy Camp for 35 athletes from the Miracle League of Manasota alongside Pirates players, coaches, and mascots. Each Miracle League athlete received a custom Pirates jersey with their name on the back, a Pirates hat and other Pirates goodies prior to enjoying the clinic-style event, which took place on an adaptive playing surface to ensure athletes of all abilities could enjoy the event. Each athlete had their name announced during the opening ceremonies, shook hands with Pirates Chairman Bob Nutting and then rotated through five stations, hitting, pitching, fielding, fly balls and base running, while Pirates players and coaching staff gave them pointers and provided a once-in-a-lifetime experience for these athletes and their families.

July 30, 2022

On July 30, Pirates Charities hosted a Miracle League Fantasy Camp in Cranberry, PA. Athletes from all eight Miracle Leagues in the Pittsburgh region participated in this station-style clinic, with Pirates players, coaches and front office staff. As athletes arrived, they received a custom Pirates jersey with their name on the back, a Pirates hat and various other goodies. Each athlete had their name announced during the opening ceremonies and then rotated through four stations: hitting, pitching, fielding and base running. Pirates players and coaching staff gave athletes pointers at each station.

MIRACLE LEAGUE FIELDS